Club Security Seminar 2016

“Shooting Down Club Violence”

Nightclub Security Consultants’ Robert Smith provided a crucial 90-minute seminar, one designed to curb the frequency of shootings and other violent incidents inside and outside of adult clubsJust go to Google News and enter “strip club” and a number of the stories that will pop up include incidents of physical violence either inside or outside of an adult club. So how do you, an adult club owner/operator, properly handle a fight or worse — a potential terrorist incident — inside or outside of your club, or prevent such an incident from occurring in the first place? At EXPO 2016, Nightclub Security Consultants’ Robert Smith offerd a very dynamic presentation on how to better train your club’s staff and secure your club at the “Shooting Down Club Violence” seminar. “This may not be a fun topic to discuss, but I can’t stress enough how important it is to discuss it anyway,” says Smith. “Besides being a retired 20-year veteran police officer, I’ve been teaching security guards, security hosts, bouncers, managers and owners of bars, clubs and other alcohol licensed establishments for nearly 18 years. My experiences have taught me that if employees are better prepared for an emergency, even a terrorist attack, they have a much better chance of helping your guests and surviving that emergency.”Editor’s note: Robert Smith provided the following article, which is a basic synopsis and bullet points from his EXPO 2016 presentaiton. However, no article can properly relay the “live” experience of attending an EXPO seminar presentation in person.

Assaults—and the reasons behind them

• Assaults in clubs are up 23% in the past 10 years• Gun violence is up 23% in the past four yearsWhat are the likely reasons why club and gun violence is seriously rising?• Guests ages 18-30 are desensitized to violence and violent acts• Guests ages 18-30 have embraced the increase in nighttime activities• Guests ages 18-30 have fewer interpersonal skills due to the huge increase in cellphone usage• Guests ages 18-30 have less respect for “authority” figures• Guests ages 18-30 are more likely to resort to violent behavior faster

What is an “active shooter”? The term simply describes the actions of the suspect because they are actively shooting. “Active Shooter” is not reserved only for a terrorist type incidents and can occur under many circumstances. There are four basic types of Active Shooters for you to be aware of:• Angry guest in club: Fighting or refusing to leave and resorts to pulling concealed weapon to escape or fight back• Ejected guest from club: Removed from club and returns from parking lot to seek vengeance, or as leaving seeks vengeance on anyone in front of club• Domestic violence: Angry partner comes to club to injure or kill their partner• Planned attack : One or more plan to attack the club

The most common type of active shooter that adult clubs face is number one and two. These, by far, are the most common and contribute to 99% of all club or bar shooting deaths and injuries.Active Shooter incidents are extremely rare; however, they are highly publicized and that scares our guests and our employees. It makes managers and owners reconsider their operation while also considering alternative and proactive measures. Being informed, taking steps to communicate to your guests and staff, and being proactive are the best measures in preventing an incident and being prepared for any potential crisis.

Active shooter preparedness: Run, Hide, Fight

• Accept we can all be a target• Accept that we can’t stop all types of attacks• Accept that we must start talking and training staff on the issue(s) of active shooters

It’s time to memorize, teach and discuss the new mantra of “Run, Hide, Fight,” instead of what a generation of young people have learned, which is “run and hide.” Offer training to your team in the critical areas of “maximum customer service” and proper identification screening. Consider a dress codes as well. Teach the reasons for proper detentions and citizen’s arrests, as well as the reasons to use police for violent behavior of guests.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but constant reminders will help your staff react correctly. In most cases, additional weapons are not the answer and the reality is that over 50% of all active shooter incidents are stopped by unarmed civilians.Here are some more areas of training to focus on:• Always be on the look out for suspicious activity• Be aware of individuals, most likely alone, who frequent your venue, ask a lot of unusual questions, or take photos of the venue layout• Consider creating company branded signs with a message of safety and awareness for guests.• Create a comprehensive training program for your door staff with focus on customer service, communication skills, understanding body language, recognition of suspicious activity, hyper-vigilance and identification screening.• Have a strong relationship with the local police department and officers who work in your area and during your operational hours.• Have a company policy on what the standard operating procedure will be for those who act in a violent manner while in your venue. Consider legal detentions and police arrests for violent assaults or dangerous weapon use.• Conduct emergency responder, first aid, CPR and evacuation training.• Conduct active shooter preparedness training on a regular basis.• Consider hiring additional security guards and having additional security staff post outside at closing times to be a visual deterrent to any aggressor or attacker. If vetted and hired correctly, armed security can offer another valuable deterrent to a violent incident.• Providing bright yellow day-glow security vests to your outside security posts. These vests are easily seen by guests and make it easy for law enforcement to identify your security team.• Pat-downs or bag searches: If you do perform pat-downs or bag searches we highly recommend having male and female security at the front door to conduct pat-downs on respective genders. Also, consider training on proper and legal pat-down and bag searches, and understand the legal issues surrounding pat-downs and searches. Know what you are looking for and have a policy that defines contraband, and what you’ll do when contraband or weapons are found.• Metal detectors: As with pat-downs, training must be provided with the use of all metal detectors. Have a policy and standard operating procedure in place in the event you do discover a weapon.

Robert C. Smith is the President and CEO of Nightclub Security Consultants, Inc. Now retired after over 20 years as a San Diego Police Officer, his company has trained over 5,000 hospitality industry employees and worked with over 1,000 bars, clubs, restaurants and other alcohol service venues nationwide. For more information on Nightclub Security Consultants, visit Nightclubsecurity.com or go to www.facebook.com/bouncertraining or follow on Twitter @bouncercoach.